HAL EARNHARDT PROFILE

Hal Earnhardt

Tex Earnhardt and his sons, Hal and Jim, are the most recognized personalities in the southwest from having built one of the most successful automobile organizations in the United States. Tex Earnhardt started his first Ford dealership in Chandler, Arizona in September of 1951. From its humble beginnings of selling a few Fords a month, Earnhardt Auto Centers did nearly one billion dollars in retail sales and sold over 27,000 retail units last year. Hal Earnhardt's love for horses has made him one of the most respected names in the sport. The resident of Queen Creek, Arizona, has campaigned a nice string of runners at Los Alamitos in recent years, featuring horses such as All American Futurity finalist Have A Coronary and local winners Corona Music, Bullish One and Fly Ta Cartel.

Earnhardt attended Central Arizona College on a rodeo scholarship, so it's not surprising that when not at his auto dealership, he enjoys team roping and riding at his three Arizona cattle ranches. Hal, who has been racing horses for more than 20 years, was introduced to the track through his grandfather, who also owned racehorses. Earnhardt has the distinction of having the longest tenure of any Bob Baffert client, dating back to Baffert's Quarter Horse days at Los Alamitos.

Earnhardt has had starters in both the Kentucky Derby and Los Alamitos Million Futurity. His filly Corona Music finished second to champion Your First Moon in the 2001 Los Alamitos Million Futurity. His horses are currently stabled with Joe Bassett. Earnhardt's son, Derby, is also campaigning a string of 2-year-old sprinters at Los Alamitos, including the highly regarded Word Written In Red, a filly out of the champion aged mare First Regards.